Supplier Import - CSV/XLS/Spreadsheet Method

In this guide we will cover:

How to Import Suppliers using CSV/XLS/Spreadsheet Method
Finding additional fields to Import

Configuration Settings Guides:

Suppliers

How to Import Suppliers using CSV/XLS/Spreadsheet Method

This guide covers how to import Suppliers using an XLS Template. This spreadsheet is used for creating new, or updating existing Supplier Records .

Navigate to Configuration > Suppliers. Head to the Imports section and set the "Unique identifier for Suppliers". The fields specified here will be used to match imported records to existing records, allowing existing Suppliers to be updated rather than duplicated.

Fig 1. Unique Identifier for Suppliers

Next you will need to configure your XLS file ready to be imported. Click the "Import Suppliers" button shown in Figure 1 to open the import screen. If open, close the File Explorer, and click "Download Samples" to download the XLS templates.

Fig 2. Download Samples option

This will download a folder called "importspreadsheetsweb".

Opening this folder will show the sub-folder "ExampleSpreadsheets" which when opened will show all available XLS templates.

Within this folder locate and open the XLS file titled "Suppliers".

Fig 3. Supplier XLS template

Click into the "IMPORT DATA" sheet and, without changing the blue column headings, remove the example data.

Fig 4. Import Data sheet

You can now enter your Supplier data in the relevant column.

Important! You must ensure the Unique identifier for your Supplier is included in this file in order for existing records to be matched. If the unique identifier is not present a new record will be created for every Supplier.

Once you have entered all the Supplier data, save your spreadsheet with an identifiable name.

In Halo, return to Configuration > Suppliers, and click "Import Suppliers".

Fig 5. Import Suppliers button

If your File Explorer does not open automatically, click "Choose File".

Fig 6. Choosing a file

Once you select your file, the data will show on the import screen. Check you are happy with the data, then select the rows you would like to import using the checkboxes, or select them all using the checkbox on the top left. Then click "Start" to run the import.

Fig 7. Importing values

You will now see any new records in the Suppliers Area.

Fig 8. Imported Suppliers

Finding additional fields to Import

Custom Fields

Custom Fields can be imported via the Spreadsheet. To do this add the Custom Field name to import, prefixed with "CF" as the Column Header. For example, "CFProductType" (As custom fields do not contain spaces):

Fig 9. Custom Field on spreadsheet

System Fields

If there is a particular field you would like to populate upon import you can add this to the spreadsheet. To find the correct header name for this field you will need the JSON name of the field. To find this, simply append "&showfieldnames=true" on your URL. This will display your instance with the JSON field names in braces (curly brackets) above the field.

Note: This method may not work for all fields. If you are unable to import to a certain field in Halo please contact Support for assistance.

In the below example I am looking to set the "Reference" for my Supplier.

Fig 10. JSON field name

Copy the value between the brackets and paste this as a column header.

Fig 11. Adding the Reference field to the import spreadsheet

Run the import as normal, and the field will update to the specified value.

Fig 12. Imported Reference field

Alternative method for finding System Fields and Field Values

If using the JSON name does not successfully import the values to the field, or if you need to know the format for the value you are importing into a field, you can use the Developer Console to find the correct header name. First locate the field in Halo, before editing the field you will need to open the Developer Console which can be accessed by clicking function (fn) and f12. Now edit the field setting the value to the value you would like to import, and view the changes in the Network tab of the Developer Console.

In the below example I am looking to set the Supplier to not be a Manufacturer.

Fig 13. Network tab

When I click "Save" additional entries will show. Select the entry with the entity name, in this case "Supplier", as this is the entity being updated. Click the "Payload" tab and expand the section.